South Park Blocks
SW Montgomery Green Street

PDC, in partnership with the Portland Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) and Portland State University (PSU), has had completed a multi-block plan for SW Montgomery Green Street, incorporating sustainable stormwater management strategies along a pedestrian oriented corridor at the south end of downtown.

SW Montgomery Green Street aims to be Portland’s boldest green street project. The 9-block concept design area, from SW 11th Avenue to SW 2nd Avenue, demonstrates how in even the most urban conditions, downtown streets can be retrofitted to manage stormwater runoff while simultaneously creating vibrant pedestrian spaces. The conceptual site plan, completed by Nevue Ngan Associates, reflects input gathered through multiple design workshops and a public open house.

Project Goals include:

• Enhance Portland’s reputation as an incubator for collaborative and innovative sustainable design and development.
• Develop a model for sustainable practices by incorporating sustainable stormwater management approaches and celebrating the elements of a vibrant urban environment.
• Create connectivity among amenities such as PSU, Halperin fountains, parks, auditoriums, museums, theaters, shopping downtown business district, and numerous transit options.
• Serve as an environmental research stewardship opportunity for PSU students and the surrounding community.
• Expand the Urban Center Plaza’s success as an active city plaza.
• Part of a pilot eco-district, seeking sustainable energy, water, transit, and social solutions at a district level.

Significant elements of the concept design include:

• Wider sidewalks and “curbless” street conditions that allow for various site furnishings adjacent to ground floor retail areas. Blocks that carry auto traffic should have active retail with one lane of traffic and one lane of parking with the option to close for pedestrian-only special events.
• Introduce a visually continuous landscaped stormwater planter that acts as a “stormwater spine” or common thread through multiple blocks and creates a “green” east/west connection.
• Integrate right-of-way green street design with adjacent developments including the planned Oregon Sustainability Center. Explore the potential of creating shared stormwater planters to accept both street and building rooftop runoff.
• Introduce the use of green roof awnings and green walls throughout new building development.
• Integrate green street elements, while honoring the character found particularly at the South Park Blocks, Urban Center Plaza, and Pettygrove Park.

Implementation of the SW Montgomery Green Street will emphasize the development of this neighborhood south of SW Market Street and north of I-405 as an area where PSU’s sustainability activities mesh with City goals, including SW Montgomery Street as a designated Central City pedestrian corridor. Simultaneous multi-block development along SW Montgomery Street will dramatically build upon the long-term efforts advanced by the City, PSU, private developers, and businesses over the past four decades. The strategic convergence of these elements will successfully activate the neighborhood, enhance the pedestrian experience, foster sustainability, and continue to build a community culture.

»  Read the full Southwest Montgomery Green Street Plan (PDF)

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